Element for the construction of dome-shaped structures



Sept. 29, 1970 v. HEiEREN Filed March 28, 1968 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent Int. Cl. E04c 1/30; E0411 13/03; E04b 7/10 US. CI. 52-81 4Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A triangular element for a dome-shapedstructure such as a radome, comprises a covered triangular frame thesides of which are interconnected at the corners by means of obliquelypositioned plates.

The present invention relates to dome-shaped structures, for example,protective domes for radar installations and antennas, the so-calledradomes. Such domes can of course serve as construction for otherpurposes. The domes are constructed mainly of triangular elements thecorners of which, in the finished dome, are tangential to a domesurface. Each triangular element normally consists of a frame and adiaphragm of plastic or metal secured thereto. The actual frame isnormally made of metal, e.g. steel. This type of dome is mounted bybolting together the separate elements by means of bolts threadedthrough holes in the frame sides of the element.

The object of the present invention is to provide an element of such aconstruction that the shape of the element is securely maintained whensubject toforces transferred through the bolts, preferably those boltslocated closest to the corners of the elements.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a simple method ofmounting the necessary diaphragms, and replacement of these.

In accordance with the invention an element is provided for theconstruction of dome-shaped structures, for example, protective domesfor radar installations. The said element consists of a triangular frameand is characterized in that the separate sides of the frame are heldtogether by means of corner plates positioned obliquely with respect tothe plane of the frame and spaced at a distance from the corners.

In order to maintain the triangular frame, preferably trapezeform cornerplates are employed, and the corner plates are arranged in such a way asto be neither horizontal nor vertical with respect to the plane of theframe. In this manner the corner plates secure both the angle ofinclination of the sides in relation to the plane of the frame and thecorner angle of the frame when subject to forces which are transferredthrough the bolt hole closest to the corner plates.

By mounting the corner plates spaced at a distance from the corners, theside ends of the frame are free and it is unnecessary to attach themtogether, for instance by means of welding, nor is it necessary for theside ends of the frame to meet. In fact, in the embodiment shown in thedrawing, it will be seen that the side ends of the frame do not meet.This fact obviously facilitates the production of the triangularelements in that the exact corner connection, otherwise required, isunnecessary. It is important to note here that the construction of suchdome-shaped structures requires comparatively great precision withrespect to the separate elements, since errors quickly accumulate andbecome particularly noticeable in the final construction.

In accordance with the invention the necessary diaphragm of plastic ormetal is secured to the frame in that the diaphragm is simply cut in thecorners of the triangle and applied over the frame when mounting theelements. In the finished dome, the diaphragm is held in place byclamping the side of the element to an adjacent element the diaphragmbeing thus also clamped between two adjacent frame sides which are heldtogether by means of the said bolts.

A simple and inexpensive production is achieved by means of the presentinvention, and also easy mounting, simple and reasonable replacementpossibilities for the diaphragm and a secure attachment of the diaphragmto the frame.

The invention is further described in the following with reference tothe drawing wherein FIG. 1 shows a horizontal projection of an elementcorner,

FIG. 2 shows a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows, in diagram form, a dome constructed of elements accordingto the invention.

The corner of an element shown in FIG. 1 comprises two frame sides 1 and2, together with a corner plate 6. The corner plate 6 is obliquelypositioned, on the drawing at about 45 to the plane of the frame, and,as indicated in FIG. 2, is welded to the sides of the frame. Byadjustment of the inclination of the corner plates the inclination ofthe frame sides may be adjusted, and the triangle may be readily varied.A bolt hole 4 is shown in the frame side 1, and a bolt hole 5 is shownin frame side 2, by which, as explained above, the separate elements arebolted together. A diaphragm 3 is applied on the element, as shown mostelfectively in FIG. 2, and an epoxy bonding agent 7 and 8 is disposedbetween the diaphragm and the sides of the frame. The use of the bondingagent is not absolutely necessary since the diaphragm will be maintainedin sealing relationship between two frame sides when the elements aremounted in a dome as shown schematically in FIG. 3.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A triangular element for the construction of domeshaped structures,comprising a triangular frame covered by a diaghragm, and corner platesobliquely positioned relative to the plane of the frame adjacent butspaced from the corners of the frame, each said corner plate beingsecured to and rigidly interconnecting two sides of the frame. 2.Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the sides of theframe are shorter than the corresponding sides of the triangle, in amanner such that said sides do not meet at the corners.

3. A dome structure comprising a plurality of elements according toclaim 1 bolted together.

4. An element according to claim 1, characterized in that said cornerplates are positioned at angles of about 45 to said plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,939,186 6/1960 Norwood et a1.52-80 3,042,050 7/1962 Finlayson 52-81 3,255,556 6/1966 DAmato et al.52-81 3,323,820 6/1967 Braccini 52-81 X 3,344,565 10/1967 Nye 52-81PRICE C. FAW, 1a., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 52-63, 474

